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    You are here: Home / Destinations / Asia / Bora Bora’s Black Pearls

    06/18/2014

    Bora Bora’s Black Pearls

    I must confess,  I love jewelry. While walking past window displays and open markets, I’m like a magpie attracted to anything colorful, glittery, or shimmering — I can’t help but stop and look. Sure, earrings and bracelets make great souvenirs since they’re small and easy to pack. But let’s be honest here, I’m just using that as an excuse for a pretty purchase.

    Bora Bora-7

    While in Bora Bora on assignment for the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, the lustre of Bora Bora’s black pearls lured me in. It’s hard not to find their dark iridescence intriguing. White pearls are certainly a classic, but their greyish silver cousin makes the fresh water pearls seem uptight and conservative by comparison.

    Bora Bora-3

    Also called Tahitian pearls, black pearls are produced by black-lipped oysters, which thrive in waters surrounding the French Polynesian islands, Including Bora Bora.  Seeking to demystify the Tahitian black pearl, I spent some time with pearl expert Dominique Li-Oi Petra at The Black Pearl Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.  Here’s an excerpt from our conversation.

    Q:  What makes Tahitian pearls special?

    Dominique:  They’re known for the wide range of colors that we offer including rare hues such as blue, pink, and green.  They’re protected by law for their natural color and are GIA certified and guaranteed to be natural.  Diamonds might have four value factors, but for black pearls, there are seven:  size, shape, color, surface quality, luster, matching, and nacre.

    Q:  How do they develop their color?  Are they all considered black pearls?

    Dominique:  Yes, they’re all black pearls and they develop their natural color from several factors, from the individual oyster to the water temperatures. What’s magic about the pearl is that it’s all mother nature’s decision.

    Q: What can guests expect to experience at The Black Pearl Lounge?

    Dominique:  What is most important for us is to educate people.  When they start loving the pearl and researching it online, they realize it’s not an expense, but an investment. There is a sort of communication of feeling and discovering the pearls that makes it a very sensual gem.  You can get addicted to them!

    Disclosure: This trip was part of an exciting work assignment for Four Seasons Magazine where I was invited on the inaugural flight for the Around The World Four Seasons Private Jet Experience.

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    bora-boras-black-pearls

    Filed Under: Asia, Travel & Food Blog Tagged With: #FSJet

    About Rachelle Lucas

    Rachelle is the founder of TheTravelBite.com and was named one of USA Today's 10Best Food and Travel Bloggers. She believes the best way to learn about a destination is through its flavors and collects recipes from her trips to recreate them here on The Travel Bite. In her spare time she enjoys running and yoga to balance out her food obsession.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristi Valentini says

      06/20/2014 at 7:57 am

      Breathtaking. I’m not a big pearl fan, but I do like black pearls. That’s what I wore on my wedding day. I could definitely get addicted!

      Reply
    2. Sand In My Suitcase says

      06/23/2014 at 8:33 pm

      The black pearls are certainly special in Tahiti/French Polynesia. In Moorea, we picked up a round mother-of-pearl pendant, with a small misshappen pearl bud glued on it. It was far less expensive than a black pearl necklace – but very pretty. And a nice momento for Janice of our visit 🙂

      Reply

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